 It was named for James K. Tomlinson, a native of Georgia who settled in the area with his family in the 1850s.After emancipation, many of Tomlinson's former slaves took his last name.Most of the Tomlinsons have since moved from the area, but some remain, and one notable resident returned – the late Oliver Tomlinson, the father of former National Football League (NFL) player LaDainian Tomlinson.